Pouzolzia is a genus of flowering plants in the nettle family. There are about 35 species distributed throughout the tropical world. Most are shrubs, and some are herbs. The genus was named for French botanist and plant collector Pierre Marie Casimir de Pouzolz (1785–1858).
Pouzolzia hirta is used as a medicinal herb, as well as for culinary purposes, in various African and Asian countries.
People from different tribes of the state of Arunachal Pradesh in India use Poulzolozia hirta, known as "Oyik" in the local dialect, as a part of a main food course which is consumed along with rice. Oyik is prepared with smoked beef/Gayal meat (Bos frontalis) or pork, along with dried bamboo shoots, and served at various occasions and festivals.
Selected species
The following species are included:
Section Pouzolzia Gaudich. 1830
New World Species
The following species are found in the New World: Pouzolzia formicaria (Wedd.) Wedd. 1857 Pouzolzia guatemalana (Blume) Wedd. 1869 var. guatemalana (Blume) Wedd. 1869 var. nivea (S. Watson) Friis & Wilmot-Dear 1996 Pouzolzia laevis (Wedd.) Wedd. 1869 Pouzolzia latistipula Friis & Wilmot-Dear 1996 Pouzolzia longipes Killip 1937 Pouzolzia nudiflora (Willd.) Friis & Wilmot-Dear 1996 Pouzolzia obliqua (Wedd.) Wedd. 1857 Pouzolzia occidentalis (Liebm.) Wedd. 1857 var. occidentalis (Liebm.) Wedd. 1857 var. palmeri (Liebm.) Friis & Wilmot-Dear 1996 Pouzolzia parasitica (Forssk.) Schweinf. 1896 Pouzolzia poeppigiana (Wedd.) Killip 1937 Pouzolzia pringlei Greenm. 1898 Pouzolzia purpusii Brandegee 1924 Pouzolzia scaberrima Killip 1934 Pouzolzia zeylanica (L.) Benn. 1838
Old World Species
The following species are found in the Old World: Pouzolzia arachnoidea (Walp.) Wedd. 1869 Pouzolzia australis (Endl.) Friis & Wilmot-Dear 2004 Pouzolzia boiviniana (Blume) Wedd. 1857